The sitter was Lord of the Bedchamber to King George II from 1743-1752 and remained an intimate friend and advisor to the King throughout his life. Between 1752 and 1756 he was Govenor to George, the Prince of Wales, and Prince Edward and was the Lord of the Stanneries between 1751 and 1756. After the resignation of Newcastle he played an important if inconsipuous part in the formation of the New Administration. He married Maria, second illegitimate daughter of Sir Edward Walpole, who after his death went on to marry Prince William Henry, Duke of Gloucester. He was succeeded by his brother John.